One can only guess at what the occasion for this LIFE Magazine photo shoot was, but it must have been long remembered in the halls of NCS. Apparently a bunch of strip cartoonists were brought out to draw on the bathing suits of a bunch of comely young models. All that’s missing is a bunch of those cartoon sweat drops (“plewds”) surrounding the heads of these guys as they try to get a ballpoint pen to draw over the nylon-encased curves of the models’ “hites.”

Behold, Ernie Bushmiller.

Oh, Alfred Andriola! You didn’t!!

We’re not sure who this scamp is.

Nor the identities of these frumpy biddies.

Many thanks to Lance Smith for the link, who says “The whole set is filed under Ball Point Bathing Suits and is dated January 1, 1950 and is credited to Bernard Hoffman. Some of the other artists are Alfred Andriola (Kerry Drake), Bill Holman (Smokey Stover), Otto Soglow (The Little King) and maybe Harold Gray.”

Looking at the entire photo spread (*ahem*), it seems that each artist was paired with a model, using the white swimsuits as canvases. I suspect this was a charity event, which might explain the society ladies.

Anyone have access to the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature? A search through 1949, 1950 volumes should list the correct citation. Microfilm or bound volumes would solve the mystery.

The only thing close to this I’ve done is drawn on the T-shirts for the volunteers of cons, you know like the ones wizards has? So they would walk around asking for artwork drawn on to them. Many would still have the shirts on them other would not.

These guys are actually writing their phone numbers on the model’s suits. I’m sure those cartoonists were so irresistible and charming, that they were receiving phone calls within the hour. Uhhh… no. A bunch of social misfits all gathered together to ogle pretty women, that sounds familiar, actually they changed the name to San Diego Comic-Con. This reminds me of an episode of Madmen.

The Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature did not suggest anything.
Life Magazine microfilm includes an index at the beginning of each roll, but nothing suggesting the above photos.
Scanning the film from January through February 13, 1950 found nothing. (Lots of cartoon advertisements…)
It is possible that the Google date is generic… pictures could date from late 1950.
Also possible that pictures were never used.
Perhaps Mort Walker knows. Must investigate further. Hurmmm…

I am the owner of these swimsuits since 1950 when this event was held! Ot was a fashion show held by the swimsuit manufacturer in their showroom in manhattan to present the new line of swimsuits. This was a kitschy kind of bathing suit which was entitled “the autograph suit.” It could be drawn on or signed and would not erase in the water! Remember..no markers or sharpies in 1950!!!! Photos were in Kife Magazine, I believe.